"With the reliance on the Reserves and National Guard system since the end of the Cold War, it is proper that they be treated appropriately," Saxton said. "The age limit for the Reserve components was set decades ago when the Reserves were not relied upon the way they are today."

Original cosponsors are Veterans Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Rep. Frank LoBiondo, (R-NJ) Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

The Air Force Sergeants Association Director of Military and Government Relations, Jim Lokovic, the National VFW Legislative Director Dennis Cullinan, and the New Jersey VFW Legislative Director Mike Wysong were on hand to show their support. The Reserve Officers Association and the Retired Enlisted Association have already backed the legislation, and dozens of other vet groups are considering endorsement.

Members of the Reserve components— the National Guard in all 50 states, the Navy Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the Army Reserve, the Marine Reserve and the Air Force Reserve— would qualify at age 55 for an annuity that is based on an individual's participation in the retirement plan.

"This bill will help in retention and recruiting Reservists and Guardsmen," Saxton said. "It puts them on equal footing with the active duty military, which can already draw retirement pay after 20 years of service. We as a nation ask a lot of our Reserves. They are not asking a lot from us."

In peacetime and in wartime the 1.4 million-member Reserve Component is often deployed side-by- side with their active-duty counterparts and has taken on more missions than ever. It is generally accepted that the active force cannot sustain the readiness posture to meet national military strategy without the Guard and Reserve, which both performed extremely well in the Gulf War, in the Balkans and in the war on terrorism.

"Make no mistake, this is a big issue with Reservists and members of the Guard," said Wysong. "I hear about this day in and day out as I speak with our forces here in the U.S. and overseas. Now is the right time to recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserve."